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Durango Herald Online - 86.9° - SE, 1.0 mph Pagel of 3 Duran goflerai d . com Th RE DRAN ffff� Navigate Site The Good Earth (Ke r-- i July 15, 2004 By Dale Rodebaugh Herald Staff Writer Kyle Dinnel, left, with Mild to Wild Rafting, waits for the rest of his group to make it through Corner Pocket Rapid, just below Smelter Rapid, as another commercial raft makes its way through the rapid Tuesday. Commercial river users are among those supporting a city proposal to assure a more constant water flow for the rapid. Below: A girl in a ducky sits stranded Tuesday above Smelter after failing to remain in the main channel. River runners hope a city proposal keeps them from being high and dry. Rafters and kayakers who would like enough water for a good run at Smelter Rapid - the premier challenge on the lower reaches of the Animas River - want Durango to follow the example of other Colorado cities that have guaranteed themselves water for recreational uses. As in other communities, the issue is sure to meet with some resistance. "Recreation is one of the highest values in Durango," said Casey Lynch, a member of the Animas River Task Force and owner of Mountain Waters Rafting. "Given the importance, it's vital to safeguard that right." As a starting point, Durango is convening a workshop July 27 to hear various opinions on what is called in- channel water diversion, which is earmarking water - if it's available - for recreation. Golden, Breckenridge and Vail have won that right. Gunnison, Steamboat Springs, Pueblo and Longmont are in varying stages of the process. "This is a new concept in La Plata County," said Jack Rogers, director of public works for the city of Durango. "We think it's a good idea to find out more. We're not experts in what the ramifications could be." Rogers said one consideration would be the economic boost from having a more consistent flow for a water course that kayakers and rafters already consider one of the nation's best. littp: / /www.durangoherald.com/ asp- bin/article_ generation. asp ?article_type =earth &article_... 7/15/2004